The MenACWY vaccine is recommended for all travellers to prevent meningitis, an infection of the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord that can be spread through sneezing, coughing, or other close contact with respiratory secretions. Continue reading to discover more about the meningitis ACWY vaccination in Sudbury.
Who can receive the MenACWY vaccine in Sudbury, and what does it protect you from?
MenACWY, or the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, guards against a potentially lethal disease caused by four different types of meningococcal bacteria.
A rise in MenACWY infections has led to the UK mandating vaccinations for infants, adolescents, and the young population.
You should also get vaccinated if you travel for a long time and will be in close contact with the locals.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the MenACWY vaccination is also suggested for those with medical issues that damage their immune systems.
The MenACWY vaccine is advised for anyone travelling to areas where meningococcal disease epidemics are common, such as parts of Africa and Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
A MenACWY vaccination certificate is required for seasonal workers to enter Saudi Arabia.
In which country do residents have to get vaccinated against meningitis ACWY?
A single upper-arm injection of quadrivalent conjugate vaccine is all that is needed, particularly during the dry season, for travel to high-risk countries like sub-Saharan Africa.
Children under the age of one year require two doses.
The study found that the highest transmission rates occurred during the late teenage years in Europe and the early teenage years in Africa.
How long do the benefits of the immunisation against ACWY meningitis last?
The usual NHS immunisation schedule includes protection against specific strains of meningococcal illness. However, this isn't a service the NHS provides for overseas journeys.
The MenACWY vaccine is suggested for individuals who have already received the MenC conjugate vaccination since it protects them for at least five years without needing a booster shot.
However, you must present proof of immunisation to visit certain countries, such as Saudi Arabia. To extend the protection to 8 years, a booster dose of conjugated vaccine is required.
Is MenACWY the same as meningococcal disease?
There are two types of meningococcal vaccinations:
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccination, often known as MenACWY, is recommended for all children, adolescents, and university students.
- The meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine is recommended for those with compromised immune systems.
What are the possible harmful effects of the MenACWY vaccine?
The vaccine had to pass a series of rigorous safety investigations to receive a licence to be administered in the United Kingdom.
Common side effects include localised itching, redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site.
Other symptoms include a high temperature, headache, irritability, nausea, and fatigue, but they usually disappear after 24 hours.
You should proceed with caution if you have a history of allergic reactions or a severe illness with a high temperature.
Can the ACWY vaccine protect against bacterial meningitis?
The meningitis ACWY vaccine is effective against four strains of meningococcal illness.
Get yourself immunised at once by making an appointment with West Midlands Travel Clinic.
